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Gayle William Guinn

04/10/1935 - 10/30/2020
Service Date: 11/07/2020
Service Time: 11:00AM
Service Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1054 W. 2nd Place, Mesa, Arizona
Visitation Date: 11/07/2020
Visitation Time: 9:00AM TO 10:45AM
Visitation Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1054 W. 2nd Place, Mesa, Arizona
Interment: Double Buttes Cemetery

Gayle William Guinn, 85, passed away peacefully under the care of Hospice of the Valley on October 30, 2020 surrounded by his big wonderful family.  Gayle was born April 10, 1935 in the little copper mining town of Ajo, Arizona to Roy and Nellie May King Guinn.  He graduated from Ajo High School in 1953 and attended a year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah before serving as a nineteen-year-old missionary in the California Mission.  He was inducted into the US Army in 1958 and spent time in Korea.  He met his wife Diane Dalrymple from Montpelier, Idaho at Arizona State University and they were married October 27, 1961 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  They had 10 amazing children, 41 adored grandchildren, and 16 cherished great-grandchildren during their 59 wonderful years together.

 

Gayle and Diane lived in Ajo for the first six years of their marriage and had four children while Gayle worked for the New Cornelia copper mine there as a laborer on the track gang, a brakeman on the trains, in the powerhouse, and finally as a pipefitter’s helper in the pipe shop where he learned to do plumbing (a skill later used extensively to supplement his salary in education).  He returned to ASU just months before the copper mine in Ajo went on strike (and later shut down completely) and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and fathered six more children.  He became the principal of Opportunity Hall/Mesa Vista (an alternative school in Mesa for students with academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges) and spent 25 years there successfully interacting (and backpacking) with students and staff he loved so much.

 

Gayle was a very-active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many ward and stake capacities over the years, including Scoutmaster, Young Men’s President, Stake High Councilor, Bishop’s Counselor twice, and Bishop.  He was also a Counselor in the Church District Presidency while in the army in Korea.  In retirement, he served as a senior missionary with Diane in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission, Colorado Denver North Mission, Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission, and in Mesa as a CES missionary and at the Church Employment Center.

 

He is survived by his wife, Diane Dalrymple Guinn, children: Kimberly (Jay) Hulet, Kirk (Linda) Guinn, Matthew (Valerie) Guinn, Nathan (Keri) Guinn, Amber (Ken) Pace, Autumn (Rob) Merkley, Charity (Kenny) Thorley, Migaela (Shaun) Reedy, and Courtney (Jessica) Guinn, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a baby daughter Nichole, parents, Roy and Nell Guinn and siblings Gene (Maggie) Guinn, Thelma (Richard) Watson, Marjorie (Fred) Johnson and Grant (Kathy) Guinn.

Gayle had an incredible talent for making everyone he met feel loved and appreciated and was known for his hugs.

 

A visitation will be held at the Beverly Ward at 1054 W. 2nd Place in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, 7 November 2020 from 9:00-10:45am in the Relief Society Room, with the funeral service to follow at 11am.  Gayle will be interred at the Double Butte Cemetery in Tempe immediately following the service.

 

Condolences

  • We love Gayle and Diane. He is a man of faith, a man that is Christ-like. He always had something funny to say that always put a smile on our face. He will truly be missed. We pray for his family during this time. We love you!

  • I was privileged to serve with Gayle and Diane in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Mesa, Arizona Temple for several years. They truly are wonderful, Christ-like people. He always made me feel happy just seeing him and especially them together. The family is in my prayers. God bless

  • Diane, we were sorry to hear of Gayle’s passing. We enjoyed the years in 14th ward with your family–we were all so young then! Where did the time go? We know Gayle will be a great benefit in heaven! Our best to you and your family.

  • Andrés Oliveros

    reading this wonderful review of Gayle William Guinn I feel the sadness of the departure of a wonderful son of our heavenly father, from a distance for my remembered friend Courtney Guinn, surely all the good that I learned from you is a reflection of the love with which you teaching father to travel through this probationary state. a hug appreciated Courtney Guinn.

  • I have so many fond memories of Gayle. He was a true leader in all aspects of his life. There is a very long string of young people that he nudged, taught, believed in and gave opportunities too. There are Ward members that he shared the same philosophies. God bless Diane, the kids and the grandkids. I love all of you and will miss Gayle.

  • Thank you sir for all you did for the kids at Mesa Vista.I was headed towards a terrible place when I met you.
    I really appreciate you taking a Interest in me and turning me around.

  • I will miss this man-his kindness and loving spirit. My heart goes out to Diane and the rest of the family. I know his loss is having a tremendous effect on all of you. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Love and prayers to you Diane and your great family. Gayle was one of the great Bishops of the 14th Ward. I loved his compassion, firmness and leadership style. He and you made a tremendous difference in the lives of many.

  • Karen Graham Stewart

    Gayle was such a bright light to everyone he came in contact with! He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile, a hug and encouraging words for all! May Diane and the family be comforted by his memory!
    Hugs Karen Graham Stewart

  • Karen Graham Stewart

    Gayle was such a bight light to everyone he came in contact with! He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile, a hug and encouraging words for all. May Diane and the family be comforted by their memories of him.

  • I’m very sad to hear of Bishop Guinns passing. He was a wonderful man who radiated the love of Christ. Diane, my heart goes out to you and your family. ❤

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